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SINGAPORE: A marker commemorating Singapore's struggle against the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) was unveiled on Monday (Dec 8) by former President S R Nathan.

The marker, located at Esplanade Park, honours Singaporeans who fought against, and braved the violence and intimidation by the CPM. Singapore's history was marked by some four decades of violence and unrest, beginning in 1948 when a State of Emergency was declared as a result of the communist insurgency. During that time, about 8,000 people were killed or wounded in Malaysia and Singapore.

The marker also recognises the dedication of the police offers who protected fellow Singaporeans during the communist threat.

Mr Nathan, who personally witnessed communist violence and helped to overcome the hold of pro-communists in the trade unions in the 1960s, said the marker is a "timely reminder of those who perished and suffered as a result of communist violence".

"Their fight against the communists was an indispensable part of our nation's road to independence," he added.

The marker's location in the Esplanade Park puts it in the vicinity of other important historical monuments in the civic district, like the Cenotaph and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial. The marker is important because it helps Singaporeans have a better appreciation of this period in the context of Singapore's history.

The park where the marker sits is along Queen Elizabeth Walk.

Also invited to the unveiling were the families of those who have died as well as those who survived the violence - one of them was 86-year-old clerical officer Mr Simon Barter, who narrowly escaped being killed by a communist gunman in 1951 while walking home.

"All of a sudden, I heard footsteps," recalled Mr Barter. "I did not want to turn in a rush. I slowly glanced back and felt something behind me. Then I turned, and I felt the cold steel sticking into my temple."

Mr Barter escaped after the gunman misfired. He believes it was a retaliatory attack as he had helped to arrest a communist arsonist earlier.

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Memorial commemorating Singapores fight against communism unveiled